From Hidden Talent to TED Stage: An Insider’s Journey

Several years ago, I found myself on the stage at a TED Global conference, presenting my idea to a captivated audience. However, this wasn’t the beginning of a long-standing passion for public speaking. It was a journey marked by unexpected opportunities and surprising twists of fate. In this article, I’ll share how I got offered to do a TED talk and what that experience taught me about finding and sharing hidden talents.

Discovering the Hidden Opportunity

The journey started in a social media group called Triiibes, now disbanded. Part of the group was participating in a writing competition, organized by best-selling author Dan Pink. The contest aimed to create an additional chapter for Pink's book, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko. The theme was simple yet profound: to contribute to the book with a unique idea.

At the time, I had never read the book, but a quick Amazon search told me enough to get started. Inspired by the idea of staying hungry, I drafted a 250–500 word piece on why this was an important theme. The piece was selected as one of the top three finalists, and the real challenge began: getting votes.

Elevating the Vote

One of the other finalists, Ed Brenegar, had a significant following and a substantial lead in the voting. To compete effectively, I needed to think outside the box. My solution? I wrote the actual chapter alongside some illustrations, aiming to captivate the voters with both text and visuals. Friends within the group helped illustrate the chapter, and I shared it on a site where it could still be accessed today: The Adventures of Becky Bunko.

With the writing and illustrating done, I had to quickly rally support. Just as the contest was nearing its end, Seth Godin, a prominent figure in the competition, made a post on Facebook encouraging his readers to vote for me. This unexpected endorsement pushed me to the top, leading to my victory, though I was in disbelief. I had won a trip to attend a TED conference, but speaking slots were still up for grabs.

A Leap of Faith into Public Speaking

Given the intense competition, the organizers decided to have attendees compete for speaking slots. This presented a new challenge, but one I was determined to meet. I wrote a 3-minute speech, inspired by my experience in the competition and the story of my life leading up to that point. My friend Patty Newbold, a fellow competitor, pushed me to refine my speech until it was as compelling as possible. After finalizing it, I submitted it to the organizers and waited nervously to hear the results.

Weeks later, I received the news that I had been selected to speak at TED Global 2009 in Oxford, England. This was the first time in my life I had presented publicly, and the prospect filled me with a mix of excitement and dread. With no prior experience in public speaking, I knew the journey ahead would be a steep learning curve.

Lessons Learned: The Journey of Ideas Worth Sharing

While attending TED, I faced a range of emotions, from awe to shock. I witnessed a variety of responses to my talk, including some intense criticism and even bullying from my peers. These experiences reinforced the lessons I had already learned: the true value of being invited to speak at TED lies not in the fame or fortune, but in the concept of sharing an idea that can truly change lives.

A core lesson from my journey is the importance of focusing on the idea itself rather than the recognition that comes with sharing it. Public speaking and presenting at a TED talk is a gift, not only for the speaker but also for those who listen. It is a platform for sharing ideas that have the potential to impact lives, communities, and even entire industries.

My experience also highlighted the importance of perseverance and the value of seeking help and support from others. Even though I won the writing competition due to a friend's assistance, I had to be proactive in writing and illustrating the chapter. This emphasis on community and collaboration underscores the idea that we are all part of a larger network of individuals who can help us achieve our goals.

Finally, the journey reinforced my belief in the power of scarcity mentality and abundance thinking. Instead of focusing on what I can gain from a TED talk or speaking appearance, I chose to focus on the richness and potential impact of the ideas I share. This mindset has helped me continue to pursue meaningful projects and make a positive difference in the world.

While the journey to TED was unexpected and filled with challenges, I believe it represents a turning point in my life. It taught me valuable lessons about the power of sharing ideas and the importance of being open to new opportunities, even if they come from unexpected places. If you have an idea worth sharing, go for it, and if not, continue to make the world a better place in your own unique way.